Physiological Variables Associated with the Development of Acute Mountain Sickness

Objective To identify the physiological variables associated with the development of acute mountain sickness(AMS).Methods Eighty four young Chinese men residing at low altitude were taken to an altitude of 4000 m within 40 hours.At sea level and at high altitude,we measured the heart rate,blood pressure,and peripheral oxygen saturation(SpO2)respectively.We also collect blood samples from each participants before and after the altitude elevation.The blood routine and biochemical examinations were performed for all blood samples.The revised Lake Louise Criteria was adopted to diagnose AMS after the subjects arrived at the target high altitude.The association between the presence of AMS and subjects’physiological variables were analysed statistically.Results Of 84 participants,34(40.5%)developed AMS.Compared with non AMS group,in the AMS group,the percentage of neutrophils was significantly higher(64.5%±11.2%vs.58.1%±8.8%,P=0.014),while the level of SpO2 was significantly lower(79.4%±5.4%vs.82.7%±5.6,P=0.008).Binary logistic regression analyses emphasized the association of neutrophils(OR:1.06,95%CI:1.01-1.12,P=0.034)and SpO2 level(OR:0.87,95%CI:0.79-0.95,P=0.004)with the development of AMS.Conclusion The ability to sustain SpO2 after altitude elevation and the increase of neutrophils were associated with the development of AMS in young males.

Hydrogen Therapy Reduces Oxidative Stress-associated Risks Following Acute and Chronic Exposure to High-altitude Environment

Low pressure,low oxygen concentration,and intense ultraviolet（UV）radiation in high-altitude environments,can cause oxidative stress which can trigger mountain sickness.A recent study demonstrated that hydrogen gas with a good permeability in biological membranes can treat various disorders by exerting its selective anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects,indicating that hydrogen therapy plays a role in scavenging free radicals and in balancing oxidation and anti-oxidation systems of ceils. Therefore, we hypothesize that inhaling low-dose hydrogen or drinking hydrogen-saturated water is a novel and simple method to prevent and treat oxidative stress injury caused by low pressure, low oxygen concentration and intense UV radiation in plateaus, thus reducing the risk of mountain sickness.

Ginkgo biloba active compounds can modulate the development of acute mountain sickness and ischemic stroke as discovered by network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:A combination of molecular docking,molecular dynamics simulations,and herbal network pharmacology was used to investigate the shared key targets and potential mechanisms underlying the preventive effects of Ginkgo biloba active compounds against acute mountain sickness(AMS)and ischemic stroke(IS).Material and Methods:The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to screen the main active compounds of Ginkgo biloba and their corresponding targets.We obtained AMS-related genes by mining several databases and cross-correlated them with key active compounds of Ginkgo biloba to identify relevant action targets for treating AMS.The STRING database was used to construct a protein–protein interaction network of the effect of Ginkgo biloba active compounds on AMS targets.The expression of genes in the network was analyzed in an IS dataset to identify common key targets of Ginkgo biloba active compounds for both AMS and IS prevention.Results:The intersection between the targets of Ginkgo biloba active compounds and AMS-related genes identified 43 overlapping genes.Analysis of the protein–protein interaction network showed that VEGFA,TP53,SERPINE1,and PTGS2 were among the key hub genes.Analysis of the IS dataset identified significant differences in the expression levels of CAT,TP53,CXCL8,NFKBIA,and PTGS2.These genes were used to construct a visual nomogram prediction model for IS prognosis with promising clinical implications.Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that sesamin stably targeted and bound to PTGS2.Conclusions:Active ingredients of Ginkgo biloba,including luteolin,quercetin,and sesamin,have the potential to modulate the development of AMS and IS through targeted interactions with key proteins,including TP53,CXCL8,NFKBIA,PTGS2,and CAT.

Efficacy of Shouzhangshen(Rhizoma Gymnadeniae Crassinervidis)extract against acute high altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury in mice

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the protective effect of Shouzhangshen(Rhizoma Gymnadeniae Crassinervidis)extract against acute high altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury in mice.METHODS:Sixty C57BL/6J mice were selected and assigned to six groups(n=10):normal control group,low-pressure hypoxia group,positive control group(dexamethasone 500 mg/kg),and three groups treated with Shouzhangshen extract(250,500,and 750 mg/kg,respectively).The Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate alterations in spatial learning and memory deficits.Nissl staining was performed to detect Nissl bodies and neuron damage.Hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF)-1α,interleukin(IL)-1β,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and malondialdehyde(MDA)expression in brain tissue and serum,as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione(GSH)activity in brain tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays,quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction and western blots.RESULTS:The Morris water maze test results showed that Shouzhangshen extract can significantly reduce the latency and swimming distance to escape onto a visible platform,increase neuron density and hierarchy and the number of pyramidal neurons,and decrease the expression of HIF-1α,IL-1β,TNF-α,and VEGF mRNAs and proteins in both brain tissue and serum(P<0.05).Furthermore,significantly lower MDA expression and higher GSH activity were detected in the three groups treated with Shouzhangshen compared with the low-pressure hypoxia group(P<0.05).However,no significant alteration was observed for SOD activity(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that Shouzhangshen extract may have a significant effect on acute high altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury in mice.